Ian Herbers named assistant coach in Milwaukee

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that Ian Herbers has been named the assistant coach for the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators’ primary developmental affiliate. Herbers replaces Brad Lauer, who was recently hired as an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators.

Herbers joins the Admirals after spending the last two seasons as the head coach of the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL. During his time at the helm of the Chiefs, Herbers guided the team to a 73-60-8-3 record and a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs in 2007-08 where they lost in the second round to the eventual champions. Prior to joining the Chiefs, the Jasper, AB native spent three seasons with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, including two as the associate head coach. During those two years the Spirit compiled an impressive 80-51-2-3 record and a pair of playoff appearances.

“I am very excited to add Ian to our staff for this upcoming season,” said Admirals head coach Lane Lambert. “He has been involved in the game at all levels, from juniors all the way up to the NHL and he brings vast experience to us as a player, assistant and head coach. I am looking forward to working closely with Ian to continue the winning tradition that we have had here in Milwaukee.”

The 42-year old Herbers ended a successful 12-year playing career in the 2003-04 season. He totaled five assists and 79 penalty minutes in 65 career National Hockey League games with the Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Islanders and helped two teams win a league championship: the 1993 Cape Breton Oilers in the American Hockey League and the 1997 Detroit Vipers in the International Hockey League.

The Buffalo Sabers’ 10th pick in the 1987 NHL draft, Herbers played 586 games in parts of ten seasons in the AHL and IHL with the Oilers, Vipers and Cleveland Lumberjacks. He totaled 147 points on 40 goals and 107 assists to go along with 1113 penalty minutes. He also posted 26 points (5g-21a) and 179 PIMs in 91 career post-season contests. His best season from an offensive perspective came with Detroit in the 1998-99 campaign when he set career highs in goals (8), assists (16), and points (24).

Herbers played professionally in England for two seasons prior to finishing his playing career with the Flint Generals of the UHL in 03-04.